NASHVILLE |DATE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2006
FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/TODD BRODGINSKI/LATHUM NELSON
THE BLACK CROWES’
TRIUMPHANT FALL TOUR LAUNCH;
BAND RELEASE STATEMENT RE DEPARTURE OF TWO MEMBERS;
NEW ALBUM SLATED FOR 2007
Led by CHRIS and RICH ROBINSON, THE BLACK CROWES launched their fall last week (9/7/06) with a roar, treating 7,000 fans at Brown’s Island in Richmond, VA to a career-spanning set of freak ‘n’ roll favorites, followed by three more powerful performances through the weekend. Despite guitarist Marc Ford’s startling resignation only 48 hours before the tour commenced–and the recent dismissal of long-time keyboardist Eddie Hawrysch–the band united to deliver a blistering signature performance.
In her Richmond Times-Dispatch review (9/8/06) of the concert, writer Melissa Ruggieri discussed the musicality of the band by noting: "Rich is the meat of this band with his Jimmy Page-worthy licks stampeding through ‘Twice As Hard’ and gently dancing around ‘She Talks to Angels.’” Commenting on the show's build-up of intensity, the writer said: "What started as a freewheeling stroll turned frenetic, with Chris screaming on harmonica and twirling around in a blissful haze while Paul Stacey, their new guitarist as of Wednesday, fingered a squealing lead solo."
Describing the band's classic songs, Ruggieri said: "A punchy ‘Remedy’ reminded how it's just a solid, old-fashioned slamming rock song with a cool bass and keyboard bridge, while their amped-up version of Otis Redding's ‘Hard to Handle’ had most fans singing/slurring along and playing air guitar to its serrated chords." Though this marked THE BLACK CROWES’ first show with two new members (including keyboardist Rob Clores), Ruggieri said that, "there were no obvious indications of first-time jitters."
The band’s commanding performance in Reading, PA (9/8/06) prompted Reading Eagle writer Jon Fassnacht to note (9/10/06), "Considering the recent turmoil, it was amazing there was any music played Friday night, let alone three hours of it. Bluesy rock 'n' roll band the Black Crowes showed that a rash of bad luck won't keep it from doing what it loves, taking over a packed Sovereign Performing Arts Center with a mammoth performance…Rich Robinson, [Paul] Stacey and [Rob] Clores were in top form, injecting the songs with adrenaline and trading off solos like they'd been playing together for years…The Crowes added a middle section to the song [‘Hard To Handle’], featuring a thick R&B groove, and Chris Robinson did some inspired ad-libbing."
The departures of Ford and Hawrysch have led to an outbreak of speculation by the press and fans. THE BLACK CROWES have responded with this statement: "Although we were very disappointed with the timing and method in which we were notified of the situation by Marc’s attorney, we remain fully supportive of both Marc and Ed's efforts at sustaining sobriety and are sincerely hopeful that they enjoy a healthy and peaceful future.“
The band’s fall tour will be highlighted by the band’s October 28 performance at the second annual Vegoose festival in Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium and wraps up November 12 at the Love Ride in Castaic, CA. When the trek ends, THE BLACK CROWES are looking forward to recording a new album that will be released sometime in 2007, marking their first album of new studio material in six years.
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THE BLACK CROWES: THE BLACK CROWES' TRIUMPHANT FALL TOUR LAUNCH; BAND RELEASE STATEMENT RE DEPARTURE OF TWO MEMBERS; NEW ALBUM SLATED FOR 2007
